Deprived communities appeal for operationalisation of CHPS Compound

Atuahenekrom, (B/A)- The residents of five cocoa growing communities in the Sunyani Municipality have appealed to the Municipal Assembly to intervene for the operationalisation of the Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compound in the area.

The communities are; Adedaase, Domeabra, Subonpan, Agyamoakrom and Atuahenekrom and according to them, the facility situated at Atuahenekrom had been completed but due to lack of water and electricity extension was not functional.

As a result pregnant women were always carried on motorbikes and tricycles to travel about seven kilometres to Gyedu or 12 Kilometres to Antwikrom, the nearest health centres to access health services.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Adedaase, near Atuahenekrom, the people complained about the poor road network in the area which worsened the health conditions of pregnant women and sick people.

Mrs Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive was on a familiarisation visit to interact with the people in those communities in the Atuahenekrom Electoral Area to identify their immediate needs.

Mrs Richardson was accompanied by Mr Agyapong-Sarfo Kantanka, the Sunyani Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Ansu Kumi, the Presiding Member and other Heads of Departments of the Assembly.

Mr. Kwadwo Yeboah, a cocoa farmer expressed concern about high rate of snake bites in the area, saying it was difficult for victims of snake bites to access anti-snake bite serum.

Another cocoa farmer, Mr. Kofi Ansu, was however upset with the poor water situation in the area, saying successive governments had failed the people.

He said the area was noted for flooding, adding that during rainy season many of the communities were cut-off if the Amoma river overflowed its bank.

Mr Ansu appealed to the Municipal Assembly to endeavour to construct metal bridge on the river for the people.

Nana Thomas Owusu, the Kurontihene of the Adedaase community, also appealed for basic school, potable drinking water and construction of the road in the area which remained the major concerns of the people.

At Atuahenekrom, Mr. Ebenezer Oteng, the Assemblyman for the area, said despite the challenges, the youth had also benefited from employment opportunities.

He said 22 people had been engaged for the mass cocoa spraying exercise, saying five under community protection personnel, 14 pollinators, three forest guards and 10 under afforestation programme.

Mrs Richardson said the Assembly had noted their problems and the Assembly would accordingly and appropriately address them.

The MCE gave the assurance that the Assembly would do all things possible to ensure that the CHPS Compound in the area became functional as a matter of urgency.

Mrs. Richardson advised the people to regularly interact with their respective Assembly members and initiate self-help development projects to attract the attention and support of the Assembly and Non-Governmental Organisations.